Archive for
February, 2016

The Westfield Matildas celebrate Lisa de Vanna’s equaliser against the USA at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sunday, 31 January 2016 –

The Westfield Matildas will be showcased on free to air commercial television for the first time with the Seven Network signing an agreement with Football Federation Australia (FFA) to broadcast the Olympic Games Qualifiers, which start on February 29 in Japan.

The partnership is a significant step forward for women’s football after the Matildas captured the hearts of the nation with their deeds at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ironically, the Westfield Matildas will start their quest to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with a match against Japan, who knocked the Australians out of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win in the quarter finals.

That match will be broadcast on 7mate and streamed on Plus7 live from 9.30pm on Monday 29 February.

The Westfield Matildas will also play Vietnam (2 March), Korea Republic (4 March), DPR Korea (7 March) and China (9 March) with the top two teams advancing to represent the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

FFA CEO David Gallop was delighted that Channel 7 had taken the leap to broadcast the Westfield Matildas on free to air commercial television as FFA’s long term strategy to grow women’s football continues to gather momentum.

“This broadcast agreement with the Seven Network is a breakthrough moment for women’s football and due recognition to the deeds of the Matildas at last year’s World Cup,” Gallop said.

“FFA is committed to growing women’s football and this is a pleasing sign that the long term strategy we have been undertaking over the last two years with women’s football is starting to bear fruit.

“Over the last two years we have invested a significant amount of resources into women’s football, in particular the Matildas program, and following the on field success at the World Cup, this is a positive sign that we are making headway off the field.

“We thank for the Seven Network for their commitment and look forward to watching the Matildas battle for a place in the Olympic Games.”

Tim Worner, CEO of Seven West Media, commented: “Seven is proud to be bringing the next chapter of Matildas story to all Australians and we’ll be doing that live on any screen.

“Australians have embraced the idea of viewing live sport through apps, as the massive audience during the Australian Open has shown.”

Male and female players are invited to take part in selection trials to be involved in WA teams competing at the School Sport Australia National Football Championships to be held at Lark Hill Sports Complex on August 20-26.

Football West News

Trials will kick-off next month at various venues across the metropolitan area where players will be assessed for inclusion in 12-and-under and 19-and-under boys and girls teams.

To be eligible, players must be full time students at school or a recognised education institution such as TAFE or SEDA and be appropriately aged.

In the 12-and-under competition, players must be 11 or 12 as of December 31 this year. The 19-and-under squads will consist of players aged under-20 on the last day of the year.

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